Freehand granule dispenser and kit with adhesive work surface

ABSTRACT

A refillable granular material dispenser for making decorative patterns with the granular material on adhesive surfaces. The dispenser has a spring-loaded, pivotally mounted lever for opening and closing a cap over the end of the dispenser to control dispensing granular material. The granular material may be sand or granular, flowable food stuffs. In one embodiment, the dispenser is part of an art kit for painting an adhesive surface with granules of material including a multi-compartment tray holding the adhesive work surface, the dispenser and granular material supply containers. A method of making decorative patterns is also provided.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of art anddecoration and in particular to a freehand instrument for dispensinggranular material, such as either sand or sugar, upon an adhesive worksurface.

Certain forms of sand art are known for creating artistic renditions ofscenes and other designs. One known form of sand art is practiced bydistributing different colors of sand on the ground. The sand art iscreated by pouring colored sand from small, open top containers or bypinching the sand between fingers and sprinkling over the area beingcolored.

More recently, sand art has been practiced on the adhesive side ofcontact paper. A protective sheet covers the adhesive contact paper. Theartist first removes pre-selected, cut pieces of the protective coveringto expose portions of the contact paper. Then, the artist pours coloredsand on the uncovered part of the contact paper to form a drawing,similar to a paint-by-numbers kit. The artist has little control overthe drawing because the adhesive portions of the paper are pre-selected.The sand is typically poured onto the drawing from a bag or spooned outand excess sand can be shaken off, to yield a predetermined picture.

Other examples of sand art kits and tools are disclosed in patents. Anart kit for making sand pictures on adhesive paper with containers ofcolored sand having caps, for example, is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.5,772,247. Each container has a solid bottom, while the cap is removableto refill the container. The cap includes a nozzle and a dome forblocking the nozzle when the container is not in use. The dome must bemanually positioned over the nozzle. Thus, the containers do not haveany mechanism for stopping the flow of sand during use except by tippingthe container back upright.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,746 teaches a sand metering device for dispensingsand into a jar or other container to make decorative designs. Themetering device has a sliding block which moves between a fill positionand a dispensing position. Colored sand is first permitted to flow intoa bore in the sliding block through a top opening when the block is inthe fill position. A bottom outlet in the bore is closed by a stop whenthe block is in the fill position. When the block is slid back to thedispensing position, the bottom outlet is opened and the colored sand inthe bore is dispensed into the jar. The metering device is providedconnected to the outlet of a container of colored sand mounted above aholder for a jar in a housing.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,462 teaches an art kit and method for making adecorative water color painting which includes selected texturedportions formed by a colored granulated material. The painting surfacehas a water-activated adhesive on pre-selected portions. After theadhesive is activated, the granulated material is poured over theselected portions. The granulated material can be poured from one ofseveral tube-like containers provided with the art kit. The containersdo not include any mechanism for controlling the flow of granulatedmaterial from the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,436 teaches a method for creating a sand painting bysequentially filling a frame having a space between front and backsurfaces and an open top with different colored sand. The sand isdelivered through the open top via tubes which are shown having auniform diameter, like a straw.

A sand game for creating designs using a sand slurry is disclosed byU.S. Pat. No. 3,447,256. The sand slurry is formed by sand suspended ina liquid such as water. The sand slurry is picked up and then depositedon an absorbent substrate using a dispenser, such as a syringe ordropper having a vacuum bulb. The sand slurry is extruded or dripped outof the syringe or dropper in a semi-liquid form. The dropper illustratedhas a narrower outlet for dispensing the slurry. Flow of the slurry canonly be controlled by the application of pressure on the dropper bulb.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,643 describes an apparatus for making designs byrotating a container while receiving a flowable material, such as sand,oil, or gel, among others. The flowable materials are deposited into thecontainer by a squeeze bottle with an open, tapered nozzle. Theamount-of material dispensed from the squeeze bottle is controlled onlyby the amount of pressure applied to the bottle.

Other similar forms of decoration are known. For example, a common craftpracticed by many children is drawing on paper with glue and thensprinkling glitter on the paper. The glitter attaches to the glue. Afterthe glue dries, excess glitter that is not secured to glue is brushedoff leaving an artistic work that appears to have been done freehand inthe form or pattern drawn by the glue. However, the glitter is usuallydispensed freely from its container since it does not matter how muchglitter is deposited onto the paper. Therefore, a means for controllingthe flow of glitter is not considered in this type of activity.

Granular materials are also used to decorate pastries, and inparticular, cakes. Granular materials such as dragees and sprinkles arecommonly sprinkled by hand, pinched between fingers, or sifted straightfrom the container. Powdered sugar is even more difficult to dispenseaccurately in this manner for making designs due to its nature.Therefore, it is difficult to provide decorative lettering or other moreprecise patterns since there is a lack of control in the dispensing ofthe-granular material.

Creativity with sand art and certain food decorations is limited becausecurrent granule dispensers do not provide good freehand control. It isvery difficult to draw small patterns and precise fine lettering bysifting, sprinkling, or pouring because additional, unwanted materialoften falls into the design as well. Known granule dispensers lack thecapability to create detailed works of art, as they generally controlflow by tipping containers back-and forth to start and stop the flow.The amount of granular material dispensed is not uniform when thegranular material is sifted or poured straight from a container, as theflow may suddenly increase or decrease due to tipping at a differentangle or as the material is used up. It is difficult to stop pouring andsifting. Also sifting or pouring from a container can result in theentire container being spilled.

There is a need for an art or decoration dispenser for depositing agranular material onto an adhesive surface in a controlled freehandmanner. A freehand dispenser is also needed to provide a precisefreehand method of depositing granular material for creating moredetailed artistic work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a freehand dispenser forgranular material which can start-and stop the flow of granular materialquickly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a granularmaterial dispenser for freehand use which has a mechanism permittingcontrol of the amount and rate of granular material dispensed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an art ordecoration kit for making creative decorations with granular materialson adhesive work surfaces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dispenserthat can be used with precision to draw fine lines and other moredetailed components of a work.

Accordingly, a freehand dispenser is provided for depositing granules ofmaterial onto an adhesive or other surface. The freehand dispensercomprises an elongated container having an inner chamber and open upperand lower ends, a removable stopper adapted for closing the chamber atthe open upper end, and a levered cap over the lower open end. The capis formed on one end of a spring-loaded lever mounted to the containeron a pivot. The cap normally closes the lower open end.

Granular material contained within the chamber is deposited on anadhesive surface by depressing the lever and compressing the springagainst the container to lift the cap covering the opening at the lowerend of the dispenser. Releasing the lever causes the spring to quicklyreturn the cap to the normally closed position over the lower end of thedispenser, thereby instantly stopping the flow of granular material ontothe adhesive surface.

The chamber of the dispenser may be very narrow or can be tapered with awide upper end and a narrower lower end to optimize storage capacity ofgranular material while providing greater control of the rate of depositof the granular material. The dispenser container and chamber may becylindrical, square, triangular or another shape in cross-section.

The stopper may include a lengthwise slot for depositing a greateramount of granular material from the upper end of the dispenser bytilting the dispenser.

The dispenser may be used with different granular materials. Thegranular material in one embodiment is colored sand, for dispensing onadhesive contact paper. In an alternate embodiment, the granularmaterial is a decorative topping or condiment, such as powdered sugar orsprinkles. The topping is dispensed on frosting, icing, or other ediblesticky coating on a pastry or cake.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a children's activity kit isprovided for drawing pictures or designs freehand on sticky paper, suchas contact paper, using sand or similar granular material. The kitincludes a multi-compartment tray for retaining an adhesive surface andthe dispenser. Contact paper is positioned in the tray and theprotective backing removed to expose the adhesive surface. The freehanddispenser is used to selectively deposit colored granular material onthe adhesive surface in the tray by opening and closing the cap. Supplycontainers of colored granular material for refilling the dispenser areincluded in the kit.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a dispenser of the invention incombination with an adhesive contact paper kit;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the dispenser according to theinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a dispenser of the invention used to decorate a cake;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an second embodiment of the dispenseraccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a removable stopper with a slot for use withthe dispenser of FIGS. 2 or 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a stopper forsealing an upper end of the dispenser of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of a stopper forsealing an upper end of the dispenser of the invention;

FIG. 8A is an end view of the dispenser of FIG. 2 taken along line-8-8;

FIG. 8B is an end view of a second embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 2taken along line 8-8;

FIG. 8C is an end view of a third embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 2taken along line 8-8; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the dispenser ofthe invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are usedto refer to the same or similar elements, FIG. 1 shows art anddecoration kit 20 having a tray 29, adhesive paper 27 and dispenser 10.The tray 29 has multiple compartments, including a large rectangularwork compartment 30 for receiving the adhesive contact paper 27. Smallermaterial supply compartments 33 and dispenser recess. 35 are providedfor storing material supply containers 32 and a dispenser 10,respectively. Compartment 33 is preferably formed as a round deep welladapted for receiving a-round material supply container 32 holdinggranular material 13. One or more dispensers 10 may be stored flat incompartment 35, or, alternatively, inserted and held vertically incompartments 33.

The adhesive contact paper 27 is preferably coated with an adhesive overall of its upper, exposed surface. The contact paper 27 may haveadhesive on both sides, so that it is more easily held in workcompartment 30. The contact paper 27 can initially be provided with aremovable backing sheet (not shown) covering the adhesive surface toprevent unwanted material from sticking.

A sheet of contact paper 27 is placed in work compartment 30 and theadhesive exposed. Dispenser 10 contains a granular material 13, which ispreferably colored sand or similar material. Dispenser 10 is used todispense the granular material 13 in a freehand manner onto the adhesivesurface of the contact paper 27 to create an artistic work ordecoration. Different colored sand can be loaded into the dispenser andapplied to the contact paper 27 to create varied designs.

Dispenser 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. As seen, dispenser 10is formed by an elongated container 3 with an inner chamber 4 extendingthrough container 3 between open upper and lower ends 9, 11,respectively. Granular material 13 is contained within the chamber 4.

The open upper end 9 is preferably sealed with a removable stopper 15 toprevent the granular material 13 from spilling out when dispenser 10 istipped backwards or upside down. The stopper can be removed forrefilling the dispenser 10 with the same or a different granularmaterial 13. Stopper 15 has a narrow proximal end 17 having acircumference adapted to frictionally fit within the chamber 4. In apreferred embodiment, stopper 15 gradually tapers along its length fromouter distal end 19 toward narrow proximal end 17. When stopper 15 isinserted into the chamber 4, the gradually tapering wall of the stopper15 frictionally engages chamber 4. Stopper 15 is preferably made of acompressible material, such as rubber to improve the frictional fit inchamber 4.

The lower end 11 of dispenser 10 is closed by a cap 21 at one end oflever 23. Lever 23 is spring-loaded and pivotally mounted to the side ofthe container 3. Lever 23 is connected using molding 26 surroundingcontainer 3 and having pivot 28 spaced outwardly from the side ofcontainer 3.

As seen in FIG. 2, spring 25 is connected between the side of container3 and the other end of lever 23. One end of the spring 25 attaches to anub 22 located within a recess in the container 3. The other end of thespring 25 attaches to a nub 24 projecting from the lever 23. Spring 25is preferably connected under slight compression between the closedposition of the lever 23 and the container 3, so that the cap 21 isbiased closed with a small force.

Pressing lever 23 against the side of container 3 compresses spring 25further and causes lever 23 to pivot at pivot 28, thereby lifting cap 21away from the chamber. 4 opening at the lower end 11. The granularmaterial 13 can flow out of chamber 4 through the open lower end 11.

The granular material 13 is composed of sand, glitter or any othersimilar granular or flowable, powdered particles that can be used forart or decoration. If desired, combinations of granular materials 13 canbe used in the dispenser at the same time to create further originaldesigns. For example, blue and yellow colored sand could both beprovided in chamber 4 and portions of each dispensed simultaneouslythrough lower end 11 when cap 21 is lifted by lever 23.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated by FIG. 3, the dispenser 10contains a granular decorative topping 37 for a pastry such as powderedsugar, sprinkles, cinnamon, dragees, and various other granulatedconfetti. A cake 39 is provided having an upper adhesive surface 40 suchas icing or frosting. The dispenser 10 is used to deposit the granulardecorative topping 37 onto the frosting or icing of the cake 39. Usingthe dispenser 10 to selectively deposit granular decorative toppings,the surface of the cake 39 can be decorated in different patterns withone or more of the granular toppings 37.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dispenser 10 may have a container 3 with threesegments: a wide upper segment 43 adjacent the upper end 9, a centersegment 45 of smaller diameter, and a narrow, lower tip segment 47adjacent the the lower end 13. The different size segments 43, 45, 47provide the dispenser 10 and chamber 4 with additional storage capacityand easier refilling in the upper segment 43. At the same time, thenarrow lower tip segment 47 limits the rate of granule flow throughlower end 11 opening, thereby providing even more controlled freehanddrawing experience.

In a further embodiment, rather than having stepped segments 43, 45, 47,dispenser 10 can simply gradually taper from the upper end 9 to thelower end 11. The dispenser 10 may take other shapes and forms as well,provided the pivoting lever 23 and cap 21 are present to controlmaterial 13 flow through the dispensing opening.

The dispenser 10 may be formed entirely rigid or include partly elasticportions, or a combination thereof. For example, the dispenser 10 can bemade entirely from a hard plastic, a chewable or elastic rubber, orsemi-hard plastic with a short elastic grip near the lower end 11 oranother location where the dispenser 10 can be grasped.

Referring to FIG. 5, the stopper 15 that seals the upper end 9 of thedispenser 10 can include an elongated slot 49. The slot 49 extendsthrough the entire length of the stopper 15, so that the dispenser 10can be tilted upside down to dispense the granular material 13 containedwithin the chamber 4. The length of the slot opening 49 is preferably 16times greater than its width, allowing a larger and longer surface areaon the work surface to be filled.

The background of an art work can be filled in with the selectedgranular material 13 more quickly by pouring from the slot 49, whilemore detailed portions can be done using the lever 23 to controldispensing from the lower end 11. The stopper 15 can alternativelyinclude different arrangements of multiple through slots, or slots canbe provided arranged in a particular pattern, so that the granularmaterial 13 is dispensed according to the particular shape or pattern ofthe slots in the stopper 15.

A removable cap 60 may be substituted for stopper 15 to close the upperend 9. As shown in FIG. 6, the removable cap 60 has walls 63 thatfrictionally surround and engage the outer face of the container 3 nearthe upper end opening. The cap 60 also has clip 65 for hooking over awall, such as can be provided on tray 29.

FIG. 7 shows another removable cap 80 which conforms and fits within thechamber walls at the upper end opening of the container 3. The removablecap 80 has a cylindrical wall 83 that is slightly narrower than thechamber 4. Above the cap wall 83, a cap head 85 is provided that iswider than the opening to the upper end of the container 3. The cap wall83 is inserted into the container 3 through the opening at the upper end9 and the cap is locked in place when the wider cap head 85 reaches thenarrower opening. The cap 80 may be easily removed since the cap head 85is much wider than the container and can be gripped. However, a string87 is also attached to the cap head for assisting the removal of thecap. The cap 81 may also be attached to other pulling means that areknown in the art.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate three different cross-sectional shapes fordispenser 10, although other may be used as well. For example, thedispenser 10 may be rectangular, conical, crayon-shaped, or any othershape that can store and continuously dispense granular material 13. Acylindrical cross-section as shown FIG. 8A is preferred for dispenser10. FIG. 8B illustrates a triangular cross-section dispenser 10. FIG. 8Cshows a rectangular dispenser. Although the shape of the chamber 4 isshown to conform to the shape of the container 3, other embodiments mayinclude a chamber 4 that has a different shape from the container.

FIG. 9 demonstrates the steps of a method for making an artistic ordecorative work from colored granules of sand. First, a dispenser 10 andan adhesive work surface such as contact paper 27 are provided 101. Thedispenser 10 is manually positioned 103 above the paper 27. The lever 23is pressed to compress spring 25 against the container 3 to start theflow 105 of granular material 13 through the lower end 11 opening. Whilekeeping the lever pressed, the dispenser 10 is manually moved over thecontact paper 27 in a freehand fashion to create a design 107. Thegranular material 13 adheres to the contact paper 27 where it isdeposited from the dispenser 10. The dispenser 10 is moved aboutcreating a design until it is desired to stop. At that time, the lever23 is released, closing cap 21 over lower end 11 opening and stoppingthe flow 109 of granular material 13 onto the contact paper 27.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

1. A freehand granule dispenser comprising: an elongated containerhaving an inner chamber and an open lower end; a granular materialcontained within said inner chamber; a lever pivotally mounted to thecontainer adjacent said open lower end; and a cap on the lever adaptedfor covering said open lower end when the lever is in a first positionand permitting the granular material to flow through the open lower endwhen the lever is in a second position.
 2. A freehand granule dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein said container tapers from a wide uppersegment to a narrow lower tip.
 3. A freehand granule dispenser accordingto claim 2, wherein said container is stepped between the wide uppersegment and the narrow lower tip and includes a center segment ofintermediate width.
 4. A freehand granule dispenser according to claim1, wherein the container has an open upper end, and further comprisingremovable sealing means adapted to fit said open upper end.
 5. Afreehand granule dispenser according to claim 4, wherein said removablesealing means is a stopper adapted to be fitted within the chamber atthe open upper end of said container.
 6. A freehand granule dispenseraccording to claim 5, wherein said stopper further comprises alengthwise slot for dispensing said granular material.
 7. A freehandgranule dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said lever isspring-loaded to bias the lever into the first position.
 8. A freehandgranule dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the container has across-sectional shape that is one of circular, triangular andrectangular.
 9. A freehand granule dispenser according to claim 1,wherein said granular material is one of sand, glitter, and combinationsthereof.
 10. A marking instrument according to claim 1, wherein saidgranular material is a decorative granular topping or condiment.
 11. Agranule dispensing system comprising: a dispenser having an elongatedcontainer defining an inner chamber containing granular material, openupper and lower ends, removable sealing means at said upper end, and abiased movable cap covering said lower open end; and an adhesive surfacefor receiving said granular material.
 12. A granule dispensing systemaccording to claim 11, wherein said container tapers from a wide uppersegment to a narrow lower tip.
 13. A granule dispensing system accordingto claim 12, wherein said container is stepped between the wide uppersegment and the, narrow lower tip and includes a center segment ofintermediate width.
 14. A granule dispensing system according to claim11, wherein said removable sealing means is a stopper adapted to befrictionally fitted within said chamber at the open upper end of thecontainer.
 15. A granule dispensing system according to claim 14,wherein said stopper has a lengthwise slot for dispensing granules of amaterial.
 16. A granule dispensing system according to claim 11, furthercomprising a spring-loaded lever pivotally connected to the container,the biased movable cap being carried at one end of the lever so that thecap is normally covering the lower open end of the container.
 17. Agranule dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein said removablesealing means is a cap adapted to engage the chamber of said dispenser.18. A granule dispensing system according to claim 11 wherein saidgranular material is one of sand, glitter, an edible granular topping orcondiment, and combinations thereof,
 19. A granule dispensing systemaccording to claim 18, wherein said adhesive material is one of contactpaper and a sticky foodstuff.
 20. An art and decoration kit fordecorating or painting an adhesive work surface with granules ofmaterial comprising: a dispenser comprising an elongated container withan inner chamber and open lower end, a spring-biased lever pivotallymounted to the container adjacent said open lower end, a cap on thelever adapted for covering said open lower end when the lever is in afirst position and exposing the open lower end when the lever is in asecond position; a multi-compartment tray holding an adhesive worksurface; and a granular material for selectively depositing on theadhesive work surface from the lower end of the dispenser.
 21. A kitaccording to claim 20, wherein the dispenser further comprises an openupper end and a removable stopper closing said open upper end.
 22. A kitaccording to claim 21, wherein said stopper has a lengthwise slot fordispensing the granular material through the stopper.
 23. A kitaccording to claim 20, wherein the container has a cross-sectional shapethat is one of circular, triangular and rectangular.
 24. A kit accordingto claim 20, wherein said granular material is one of sand, glitter, andcombinations thereof.
 25. A kit according to claim 24, wherein theadhesive work surface is contact paper.
 26. A kit according to claim 20,wherein the lever is biased to the first position.